Question

Which subatomic particle plays the greatest part in determining the properties of an element?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Every atom consists of three sub-atomic particles which are protons, neutrons and electrons.

Inside the nucleus of an atom, there will be only protons and neutrons. Whereas electrons revolve around the nucleus of an atom.

But in a chemical reaction it is only the electrons that are able to participate. Whereas protons and neutrons only participate in nuclear reactions and not in any chemical reactions.

For example, $H_{2} + Cl_{2} \rightarrow 2HCl$

These electrons help in determining the reactivity of a substance because every atom wants to attain stability. Hence, they react with other atoms according to their number of valence electrons.

Thus, we can conclude that electrons are the subatomic particle plays the greatest part in determining the properties of an element.

Answer 2

Electrons - they are the particles that determine the chemical properties of an element